The median home price in Mountain Home is $130,000; prices have dropped roughly 7% in each of the last three years.  Many modest, ranch-style homes in the 1,200 square foot range with two bedrooms and one to two baths are available in the low-$100,000s, and some can be found for less.  The median price of $130,000 will fetch a brick ranch-style home with roughly 1,600 square feet, a large yard, three bedrooms, two baths and a two car garage, which may be detached.  The neighborhood will be fairly average but nicely kept with lots of trees.  Homes in the $200,000 range will usually have some upgrades, including hardwood floors, an attached garage, vinyl siding, a workshop, etc. and may be in a newer neighborhood.  $300,000 homes are generally quite stylish with distinctive architectural details and may be newer, built of brick, have three to four bedrooms, three baths and feature maple cabinets, granite countertops, marble baths and 9-foot ceilings.  Residences in this price range often come with acreage.

Property is taxed at $37.40 per $1,000 of assessed value, and homes are assessed at 20% of market value.  The annual taxes on a $130,000 home would be $972.   Many homes have been built without much adherence to codes, so it is important to have a good realtor when thinking of buying property.  There are a number of apartment complexes in town, but available apartments seem to be in short supply.  Mountain Home has nine manufactured home communities, including one, Glenbriar Mobile Home Park, that is geared to seniors.

 This is an interactive map.  Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and click on the +/- signs to zoom in and out.

Both Lake Norfork (550 miles of shoreline), 15 minutes east of Mountain Home, and Bull Shoals Lake (1,000 miles of shoreline), 20 minutes west, are clean and blue and attract tourists as well as retirees.  Each boasts a resort atmosphere, and fishermen and others are on the water year round because the lakes always remains 45 degrees or above.  Mountain Home has been recognized as one of the top fishing spots in the country, and trout, bass, stripers, crappie, bream, walleye and catfish are plentiful.   Several full service marinas offer a wide range of recreation equipment and services, including boats rentals and sales, slip rentals and fishing guides.   Some marinas have campgrounds and all have public boat launch ramps.  Lake Norfork is particularly clear and deep, attracting SCUBA divers from around the region.  Four nearby rivers, White River, Buffalo River, North Fork River and Crooked Creek, provide further fishing venues.

For those who would rather stay dry, acres and acres of of public lands and wildlife management areas are open for camping and  picnicking.  Mountain bikers and day hikers enjoy miles of stacked loop trails that lead through several different eco systems, including both hardwood and pine forests.  Level of difficulty ranges from beginner to intermediate.  These trails are the place to be during the autumn months when the hillsides turn delicious shades of red, orange and maroon.   The wilderness around the lakes also give amateur naturalists and birders have an excellent place to engage in their pursuits.  The area has three golf courses, as well, including the Big Creek Golf and Country Club that is spread across 200 verdant acres.   

Mountain Home shopping is adequate for necessities, but high-end stores are not plentiful.  Dining options include fast food restaurants, pizza places and family-style restaurants.   For those with a gourmet palate, this is not the place to retire.

Mountain Home, Arkansas Continued....